ZHENGZHOU, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Three people were confirmed dead and six others are sick from poisoning in an illegal gold mining operation in Henan Province, local authorities said on Tuesday.

The Songxian County government sent rescuers to a deserted mine on Saturday after receiving tips from the public about the mining operation.

According to a police investigation, the miners are all local farmers who tried to use chemicals containing sodium cyanide to recover gold from the deserted mine. They were poisoned by the gas emitted from the toxic chemical.

Three people have died and six others are still in the hospital.

The case is under further investigation.